Study title

Interviews with Care Workers 2018

Dataset ID Number

FSD4050

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4050
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4050

Data Type

Qualitative

Authors

• Hirvonen, Helena (University of Eastern Finland)
• Hämäläinen, Antti (University of Jyväskylä. Centre of Excellence in Research on Ageing and Care)
• Taipale, Sakari (University of Jyväskylä. Centre of Excellence in Research on Ageing and Care)

Abstract

The dataset consists of interviews with care professionals employed in intensive service housing units for older adults in Finland. The data examine the content of elder care work, the range of technologies used in care work, and the effects of different technologies on care practices. The interviewees included practical nurses, registered nurses, activity instructors, and an occupational therapist.

At the beginning of the interview, participants were asked to describe their career paths, typical working days, and both positive and demanding experiences in their work. The interviews also explored everyday interactions related to care work and the role of gender in care work. In addition, participants were asked to discuss challenges, decisions, and views concerning the care of older adults and the use of technologies. Particular attention was paid to how different devices and applications affect the smoothness of work processes, safety, and the everyday lives of care recipients.

Background information includes the interviewee's gender, occupation, age group, and information related to their family and work history.

Keywords

care of the elderly; digital technology; elderly; electronic equipment; medical equipment and supplies; nurses; nursing care; residential care of the elderly

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Health care services and policies (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Information society (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Working conditions (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (C) available only for research including master's theses.

Data Collector

• Hirvonen, Helena (University of Eastern Finland)
• Hämäläinen, Antti (University of Jyväskylä. Centre of Excellence in Research on Ageing and Care)

Funders

• Academy of Finland (312367, 336671)

Time Period Covered

2018

Collection Dates

2018-09 – 2018-12

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Care professionals employed in intensive service housing units for older adults in two Finnish cities

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

Interviewees were recruited either via the cities' long-term care unit managers who produced a list of interviewees for the researchers, or through an open invitation that was circulated electronically via intensive service housing staff mailing lists. Participation was open to all interested individuals.

Collection Mode

Face-to-face interview

Research Instrument

Interview scheme and/or themes

Data Files

25 interviews in ODT format. Additionally, the data were organised into an easy to use HTML version and a CSV version.

Data File Language

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

Qualitative data are available in their original language only and are not translated.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

For anonymisation purposes, the researchers removed all direct identifiers and strong indirect identifiers from the dataset. In addition, information concerning health and detailed descriptions of the work community and intensive service housing units have been removed. Exact ages, places of residence, family information, employment and education details, as well as information about residents of the intensive service housing units, hobbies, and leisure activities have been generalised to a broader level.

The data has been further anonymized by removing location information, names that appeared in two transcripts, and one reference to a third party at FSD. In addition, anonymisation has been supplemented in accordance with the researcher's anonymisation plan. Changes made at FSD are marked with [[[triple square brackets]]].

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Hirvonen, Helena (University of Eastern Finland) & Hämäläinen, Antti (University of Jyväskylä) & Taipale, Sakari (University of Jyväskylä): Interviews with Care Workers 2018 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2026-06-23). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4050; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4050

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Hirvonen, H., Tammelin, M., Hämäläinen, A., & Taipale, S. (2022). Group-based instant messaging in Finnish residential elder care work : taming the technology or vice versa?. New Technology, Work and Employment, 37(2), 231-249. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12221

Hämäläinen, A. (2022). The epistemological complexity of ideal care : long-term care professionals' perspectives. International Journal of Care and Caring, 6(4), 493-509. https://doi.org/10.1332/239788221x16382572220893

Hämäläinen, A., & Hirvonen, H. (2020). Electronic Health Records reshaping the socio-technical practices in Long-Term Care of older persons. Technology in society, 62, Article 101316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101316

Hämäläinen, A., Leinonen, E., & Era, S. (2024). Attunement as a practice of encountering dementia time in long-term eldercare work. Time and Society, 33(2), 170-190. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961463x231215945

Lappalainen, S. (2020). Hoitajana tehostetussa palveluasumisessa: Tarkastelussa alalle hakeutumisen syyt ja muutostoiveet. Jyväskylän yliopisto. Yhteiskuntatieteiden ja filosofian laitos. Pro gradu -tutkielma. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202006224325

Tammelin, M., Hirvonen, H., Hämäläinen, A., & Hänninen, R. (2022). Sense of belonging in a digitalised care work community. In H. Hirvonen, M. Tammelin, R. Hänninen, & E. J. Wouters (Eds.), Digital Transformations in Care for Older People : Critical Perspectives (pp. 128-144). Routledge. Routledge Studies in the Sociology of Health and Illness. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003155317-11